Moscow World Cup results

And yet again, Russian women dominate the competition!!!

girshinagan and igorgymn1 have videos up.

Juniors Viktoria Komova and Aliya Mustafina performed exhibition routines on BB and UB respectively. Komova did her arabian (but not in combination).
Chusovitina was there as a coach (for UZB).

WAG

VAULT
Yekaterina Kurbatova 14.587
Yulia Berger 14.412
Anna Kalashnyk 13.925
Mayra Kroonen 13.712
Tiyana Tkalsech (CRO) 13.487
Ethiene Franco 13.425
Alina Sotnikova 13.362
Irina Deniskina (UZB) 12.812

BARS
Kristina Goryunova/Yekaterina Kurbatova 14.325
Lucia Tachelli 14.05
Sanne Wevers 13.6
Ethiene Franco 13.575
Marta Pihan-Kulesza 12.95
Valentina Holenkova 12.75
Fieke Willems 10.95?!

BEAM
Sanne Wevers 14.175
Adela Sajn 14.05
Ethiene Franco 13.95
Kristina Goryunova 13.375
Yekaterina Kurbatova 12.9
Katarzyna Jurkowska (POL) 12.85
Marta Pihan-Kulesza 12.725
Mayra Kroonen 12.075

FLOOR
Anna Myzdrikova 14.125
Adela Sajn 14.075
Ethiene Franco 13.75
Tina Erceg 13.45
Luiza Galiulina 13.325
Mayra Kroonen 13.0
Valentina Holenkova 12.95
Yulia Berger 12.9

-------------------
MAG

FLOOR
Diego Hypolito 15.65
Anton Golotsutskov 15.55
Alexander Shatilov 15.25
Felip Ude (CRO) 15.15
Jeffrey Wammes (NED) 14.8
Tomislav Markovic (CRO) 14.775
Roiland Hauptli (SUI) 14.275
Kristian Thomas (GBR) 14.175

POMMEL HORSE
Kristian Berki (HUN) 15.9
Prashanth Sellathurai (AUS) 15.875
Andrei Perevoznikov (RUS) 15.525
Robert Seligman (CRO) 15.4
Saso Bertoncezj (SLO) 15.25
Vahang Stepanyan (ARM) 14.95
Felip Ude 14.575
Louis Smith (GBR) 14.45

RINGS
Yuri van Gelder 15.6
Konstantin Pluzhnikov 15.525
Alexander Balandin (RUS)15.175
Raj Bhavsar/Timur Kurbanbayeva (KAZ) 15.0
Ali Alasi (JOR) 14.6
Prashanth Sellathurai 14.325
Sergio Eras (BRA) 13.65

VAULT
Anton Golotsutskov 15.887
Jeffrey Wammes 15.875
Evgeni Sapronenko (LAT) 15.8
Theo Seager (GBR) 15.762
Marek Lyszczarz (POL) 15.7
Yernar Yerimbetov (KAZ) 15.5
Jad Mazahreh (JOR) 15.325
Diego Hypolito 15.262

PARALLEL BARS
Mitja Petsovsek (SLO) 15.625
Raj Bhavsar 15.05
Epke Zonderland (NED) 15.0
Alexander Tsarevich (BLR) 14.9
Yernar Yerimbetov (KAZ) 14.725
Manuel Carballo (ESP) 14.55
Roman Kulesza (POL) 14.5
Hung Phm Phuok (VIET) 13.825

HIGH BAR
Epke Zonderland 15.55
Aljaz Pegan (SLO) 15.425
Alexander Tasrevich 15.175
Mykola Kuksenkov (UKR) 15.025
Rafael Martinez (ESP) 14.775
Anatoli Vasilyev (RUS) 14.15
Jeffrey Wammes 13.475
Alen Dimic (SLO) 11.325

Participants for Moscow World Cup

Russia will be represented by Berger(VT, FX), Goryunova (UB, BB), Myzdrikova (BB, FX) and Kurbatova (VT, UB); Anton Golotsutskov, Konstantin Pluzhnikov, Andrei Perevoznikov, Anatoly Vasilyev, Emin Garibov and Alexander Balandin.

Other major names include Brazil's Diego Hypolito, Ethiene Franco and Bruna Leal, Marta Pihan-Kulesz (1st FX at Cottbus and two bronzes at Maribor), and Adela Sajn. Ukraine is sending Anna Kalyshnyk, who placed third of VT at Europeans, and Valentina Holenkova.

Full list of competitors here - click on "Deelnemers".

Andrei Fedorovich on the Europeans

Andrei Fedorovich, in comparison with the women's team, two-thirds of the men did not do so well?

"Pluzhnikov has shown the best routine here; 15.325 was his best score. Our problem is that his best is not up to the best of the world on rings. Except for one Chinese, all the leaders on rings were here. So his sixth place is basically his place in the world elite. And this placing does not satisfy us. We will revise his exercise so that his difficulty is raised."

What about the disappointment caused by Anton Golotsutskov!

"He was aiming for medals on floor and vault, but did not make it. He used an old floor routine (or combination, I'm not sure which) and others went ahead of him [he was 5th on fx.] With a difficulty of 6.2, it was impossible to medal. And he did not. However, he executed the routine very well, with his E score 9.0."

And he did not even make the vault final.

"That was entirely his own fault. I do not wish to discuss that."

It seems to me, at you claims cannot be only to Ryazanov and Perevoznikov.

I am convinced that if Ryazanov had executed better, he would have won the silver. And if he had more difficulty, he would have won...We are already working on this - in training he works on harder elements than he showed at the European Championships. He will be able to perform them soon. With Perevoznikov it is different. It was the first time he has appeared at a large competition. The judging was therefore stricter for him. So I consider his fourth plaving a good result. And it will be better at Worlds. But we must have a harder dismount."

The girls have pleased you?

"First of all, thanks to the girls and trainers, and to the senior trainer of the women's team, Alexander Alexandrov, and to all personal coaches of the gymnasts. Especial thanks to Ksenia Semenova and all who worked with her. For five years, our gymnasts never won the European all-around title. And now Ksyusha has returned this title to Russia. We brought to Milan three gymnasts (four??) The all-around success was with two of them. Then the medal Yulia Berger won is very important; nobody had thought of her as a contender for a vault medal."

How do you estimate the contenders?

"Gymnastics has grown much in Europe, especially with the men. The girls, to a lesser degree. [something incomprehensible...] I speak of Beth Tweddle in particular. Concerning men's gymnastics, it is impossible to look only to Asia. Europeans are also very competitive! Take Hambuchen, for example. He showed great difficulty."

How much of this competition was useful to you, as head coach of a national team?

"Very useful. In the individual competition, it is possible to gauge development tendencies. If in the winter we were uncertain of the new rules, we are familiar with them now. [something about Worlds.]"

Tell us, will the lineup for the World Championships be changed a lot?

"Those who can bring their routines into accord with the new requirements will make the national team. And they will be the gymnasts who will try for medals. But of course I cannot name them now."

European qualifications!!

Ksenia Semenova is in first place after qualifying round with 57.625!!!!!!!!!!!
Also Yulia Berger qualified first to vault final!!!!

VAULT
Yulia Berger RUS 14.287
Jana Komrskova CZE 14.225
Anna Kalashnyk UKR 14.112
Kim Bui GER 14.087
Aagje Van Walleghem BEL 14.075
Ariella Käslin SUI 14.062
Becky Downie GBR 14.025
Wyomi Masela NED 14.025

BARS
Beth Tweddle GBR 15.275
Anja Brinker GER 15.025
Ksenia Afanasyeva RUS 14.825
Youna Dufournet FRA 14.750
Anastasia Koval UKR 14.625
Valentyna Holenkova UKR 14.500
Becky Downie GBR 14.475
Ksenia Semyonova RUS 14.425 (with a fall on her pak)

BEAM
Vasiliki Millousi GRE 14.725
Anamaria Tamarjan ROM 14.525
Ksenia Semyonova RUS 14.475
Yana Demyanchuk UKR 14.450
Valeria Maksyuta ISR 14.375
Gabriela Dragoi ROM 14.350
Marine Petit FRA 14.050
Yasmin Zimmermann SUI 14.025

FLOOR
Beth Tweddle GBR 14.975
Sandra Izbasa ROM 14.475
Vanessa Ferrari ITA 14.425
Ksenia Semyonova RUS 14.400
Anamaria Tamarjan ROM 14.200
Ana Maria Izurieta ESP 14.050
Lia Parolari ITA 14.025
Valentyna Holenkova UKR 13.950


Anamaria Tamarjan was second in the all-around standings and Diana Chelaru in 15th; Yana Demyanchuk is in 4th!! good for her. The other Russian to qualify was Kristina Goryunova in 16th.
Afanasyeva had a rough day, falling on pretty much everything...in bars she only mucked her dismount so managed to qualify. Aarghhhh

& Beth's new routine is incredible!! I saw her performance from Jesolo...Iit should be a great showdown between her and Ksenia. I'm not sure which one I want to win!

Russian Championships - Event finals - Semenova wins bars and floor

Ksenia Semenova won the gold on uneven bars and floor exercise yesterday at the Russian Championships, posting the highest score of the competition on the bars. Yulia Berger won the vault, and all-around champion Aliya Mustafina tied with Afanasyeva for the balance beam.

Results - Women

VAULT
Yulia Berger 14.562
Kristina Goryunova 13.65
Anna Dementyeva 13.475
Ramilja Musin 13.375
Yekaterina Korodumova 13.325
Maria Chibiskova 13.312
Tatiana Nabieva 7.287
Alexandra Telitsina 6.9

UNEVEN BARS
Ksenia Semenova 15.8
Aliya Mustafina 15.3
Ksenia Afanasyeva 14.7
Tatiana Nabieva 14.5
Yulia Berger 14.25
Kristina Goryunova 14.125
Anna Dementyeva 14.0
Yekaterina Kurbatov 13.65

BEAM
Aliya Mustafina and Ksenia Afanasyeva 14.95
Ksenia Semenova 14.725
Kristina Goryunova 14.675
Diana Sapronova 13.85
Svetlana Klyukina 13.475
Tatiana Solovyeva 13.425
Maria Chibiskova 11.4

FLOOR
Ksenia Semenova 14.925
Kristina Goryunova 14.825
Aliya Mustafina 14.7
Anna Dementyeva 14.275
Anna Myzdrikova 14.2
Ksenia Afanasyeva 13.85
Yulia Berger 13.825
Tatiana Solovyeva 12.675

MEN

POMMEL HORSE
Andrei Perevoznikov 15.0
Andrei Lihovitsky 14.375
Dmitry Stoljarov 13.7

RINGS
Konstantin Pluzhnikov 15.475
Yuri Ryazanov 15.225
Ruslan Nigmadzjanov 14.425

VAULT
Denis Abljazin 15.825
Anton Golotsutskov 15.737
Anton Lobachyov 15.625

PARALLEL BARS
Nikolai Kryukov 15.475
Maxim Devyatovsky 14.8 (finally!)
Nikita Ignatyev 14.55

HIGH BAR
Sergei Horohordin 15.25
Yuri Ryazanov 15.075
Maxim Devyatovsky 14.6

FLOOR
Yuri Ryazanov (Vladimir) 14.85
Anton Golotsutskov 14.725
Anton Neudakina 14.625
Vladimir Olennikov 14.5
Dmitry Gogotov 13.35
Anton Lobachyov 13.15
Nikita Ignatyev 13.075
Michael Bodnar 12.55

Moscow team wins Russian Championships and 2009 Euro team named

In first place was the team from Moscow with 17.05 points (Aliya Mustafina, Yulia Berger, Anna Myzdrikova, Maria Chibiskova, Elena Syrnikova and ZAMO!!! yay!!!) Second was from the Central Federal district, 169.1 points (Ksenia Afanasyeva, Ksenia Semenova, Dariya Goncharov, Tamara Kohadze, Anastas Cherepina, Evgenia Klimov) and third from Petersburg with 161.4 points (Tatiana Nabieva, Diana Sapronova, Irina Sazonov, Olga Alekseeva, Ekaterina Krylova and Alina Rybalova).
The Moscow and Central teams fought it out well for first place, the Ksenias leading their team, and it wasn't until the last rotation that Moscow came out on top. Afanasyeva made errors on the balance beam, costing her team one and a half points (ouch! but she was sick so we forgive her). Even after this, they were still in the lead! And then came the floor exercise. For the Moscow team to win, they would need to score an average of 14.5 points. Double world all-around champion Yuri Korolev was watching (the representative of the Central team) and he remarked, "It is not possible. They won't win."

First up was Yulia Berger from the CSKA school, trained by Elena and Vladimir Kuznetsov. He has said about her in the past, "She is talented, but very timid. The main thing to overcome is her fear, and then she will begin to grow as a gymnast." And, it seems as though this has been accomplished. Yulia got to the national team last year. Most of the time she remained in the shadows, training, but wasn't involved in any major competitions. She started her team off with a 14.4. She did not have quite enough difficulty, but got her team off to a great start.

Next was fifteen-year-old Aliya Mustafina. She scored a 14.8! And finally was Anna Myzdrikova. Frankly speaking, it was difficult to believe that Anna would hold up under such pressure. This would be a test not only of her ability, but also of stability. She also scored a 14.8! She did not only perform under the pressure, but performed with honour! In one rotation, the Moscow team won back over two points.
Competing for the Central team on floor were the two Ksenias and Dariya Goncharov, but they could not retake the lead.

The team which placed fourth was from the Volga region, including Anna Dementyeva, Kristina Goryunova, and Svetlana Klyukina (who has recovered from her injuries).

At the end of the competition, the national trainer Alexandrov was very happy. "I am pleased with the results, first of all because we can look at the competitive readiness of teh gymnasts. They work on competitions, work on results. Readiness for the beginning of the international season is visible.

He named Ksenia Semenova, Ksenia Afanasyeva, Kristina Goryunova and Yulia Berger for the European team - the Ksenias and Kristina as all-arounders, and Yulia to compete on vault and floor. "I want to make particular not of Semenova and Afanasyeva - they are the unconditional leaders of this national team. They are very hardworking, very focused on results. Their results here are despite the injuries which plagued them previously. Afanasyeva was not on the podium for the all-around only because she was sick. Also look at Anna Myzdrikova's performance which clinched the victory for the Moscow team - she has performed for the first time as required as a member of the national team. She still needs to prove herself.."

(Sorry about the last bit being muddly - I couldn't quite understand it.)

Results of the men's team competition:

Central Region - 262.45 (Dmitry Barkalov, Timur Kuzmin, Anton Neudakin, Alexander Kalabin, Sergei Khorokhorkin, Yuri Ryazanov)
Siberia - 256.8 (Andrei Cherkasov, Maxin Devyatovsky, Anton Golotsutskov, Nikita Ignatyev, Konstantin Pluzhnikov)
Moscow - 254.225 (Mikhail Bodnar, Emin Garbiov, Dmitry Gogotov, Vladimir Olennikov, Dmitry Stolyarov, Dmitry Takubovsky)

And meanwhile, on the Russian front...

The Russian Championships are currently being held. Olympians Ksenia Afanasyeva and Ksenia Semenova placed first and second respectively after qualifications.

Ksenia Afanasyeva 59.6
Ksenia Semenova 59.0
Kristina Goryunova 58.35
Aliya Mustafina 58.05
Tatiana Nabieva 56.65
Yulia Berger 55.4

Alexander Alexandrov (who has moved back to Russia to coach the women's team:D) said that the girls were very consistent. He mentioned Goryunova and Berger, "before it was impossible for Goryunova and Berger to hit, but they at last have proved themselves. Goryunova it turns out is quite the all-arounder, and Berger is good on two events — vault and floor exercise."

He is doubtful whether Anna will recover from her injury (shut up Alexandrov!) and Klyukina is injured as well! She only competed on 2 events. (Maybe she's still recovering from surgery she had in October?)